Page 27 of Primal Bonds

That got Adric’s attention. Tiago was the youngest brother of the Rock Run alpha and a high-ranking member of the clan in his own right.

“Do Rio, hmm? Think Rock Run had anything to do with it?”

“Why the fuck would they help a night fae?”

“Because Tiago’s big brother Dion would love to stop our mining. He hates having us on his mate’s territory.” Lord Dion wasn’t just the Rock Run alpha, he was mated to Cleia, the sun fae queen.

“And he’s not happy about us mining so close to Rock Run, either,” Luc added. “They may have figured out that you’re the guy who developed the smartphone technology.”

Jace considered that, but it didn’t compute. “I don’t like him any better than you, but if Dion wanted me dead, he wouldn’t hire a fae. He’d do it himself.”

“True,” said Adric. “And we signed a contract with the Rising Sun fae. If Dion doesn’t honor it, his mate would have his balls on a platter.”

Luc snorted and Jace grinned. “She would.” Dion might be a big, dominant man but Queen Cleia was one of the most powerful fae in the world.

“Which leaves us with Lord Prick.” It was their code name for Tyrus.

“That’s my guess.”

A muscle ticked in Adric’s jaw. “God’s cat, I’d like to take him out. But the prince would wipe the floor with us if he found out we killed his only living son.”

Jace nodded. They’d discussed this before, and the answer was always the same. It wasn’t fucking worth it. The only consolation was knowing it was a stalemate. They couldn’t take out Tyrus, but the reverse was also true. Prince Langdon had kept his son in check for the past six years—although Tyrus had apparently slipped the leash.

Thankfully, Merry was protected by Langdon himself. The night fae prince had woven a protection ward deep into the crystals of her quartz. If anyone—fae or not—tried to hurt her, they would die. Instantly.

“The bastard will go too far one of these days,” Luc muttered. “And then, he’s dead.”

Adric growled in agreement.

Luc took the I-95 ramp south toward Baltimore. They bumped over something in the road and Jace tensed against a jolt of pain.

“Sorry, bro.” Luc eased the car onto the interstate. “Couldn’t avoid it.”

“Hang in there,” Adric added. “We’ll have you home in less than an hour.”

Jace nodded, tight-lipped. “I need you to do something for me—call my niece. Rui and Valeria should know what happened.”

“Of course.” Adric tapped his quartz. “Merry? How are you, love?”

“Uncle Ric!”

Jace’s mouth curved at her excited response. In the days after they’d first found Merry with the Rock Run fada, she’d been terrified of Adric, especially after he’d tried to steal her back from the couple she thought of as her parents. But the alpha had a soft spot for cubs, and it hadn’t taken long before she adored him like all the clan’s young.

“Don’t be worried,” Adric said, “but Uncle Jace got hurt. He’s going to be okay, though.”

“Uncle Jace?” The brightness went out of her voice, which made Jace want to kill the night fae assassin all over again. “He’s okay? You’re sure?”

“Absolutely. He’s here with me right now.”

“Why didn’t he call me then?”

“Because he’s using all his energy to heal.”

“Oh. That’s good, then. Can I talk to him? Please?”

“Of course.” Adric removed his quartz and held it over the seat so Jace could speak into it.

He leaned forward. “Yo, Merry. I’m okay, like Uncle Ric said. I won’t be able to see you tomorrow, though. But I’ll come and see you in a couple of days.”

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